Tess Leverenz

Tess Leverenz is thrilled to begin her journey as a consulting teacher for adult learners with CRS! She has over ten years of teaching experience in elementary school settings throughout New York state and Spain. Tess was initially introduced to Responsive Classroom in 2012 in a dual language public school in New York City, and she has used the Responsive Classroom approach ever since. As a founding teacher at a charter school in Buffalo, New York, she has seen how the guiding principles of RC truly help to create an inclusive and supportive community for students, teachers, and families. Tess holds a master’s degree in dual language education and students with disabilities from Bank Street College in New York City. She and her husband recently completed a cross-country bicycle trip from Buffalo to the Bay Area in California, where they currently reside.

Tim Keefe

Tim Keefe is currently a second grade teacher in West Haven, Connecticut. He has been teaching a variety of elementary grades for the past 33 years. Tim has been immersed in Responsive Classroom strategies since 1991, including leading workshops in his district and around the country. The initial Responsive Classroom training he received at the beginning of his career changed his life as a teacher. He became a teacher leader in his district, which includes sharing Responsive Classroom practices with new and experienced teachers. Tim has a master’s degree in the teaching of reading and a sixth year degree in administration and supervision. His favorite book to read with his class is Charlotte’s Web. This classic read-aloud spurs many thought-provoking conversations with his students about friendship, loyalty, nature, and family. In his spare time, Tim enjoys playing and listening to music, watching movies, biking, and reading books.

Tina Darling

Tina Darling serves as an assistant principal at the Mason Early Childhood Center in Mason, Ohio. During her 18 years in education, she has served as a kindergarten teacher, learning experience designer, and now administrator. She earned her bachelor of science degree in early childhood development and masters in early education from The Ohio State University. She also holds a K-12 reading endorsement and a preK-6 administrative license. Having been introduced to the Responsive Classroom approach during her first year of teaching, Tina is passionate about being a consulting teacher for the Center of Responsive Schools. She genuinely enjoys sharing ways to help children feel a sense of belonging, significance, and fun. She knows that when learning is interactive, meaningful, and purposeful, children thrive. Outside of work, Tina enjoys spending time with her three children, running, reading, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.

Tina Miller

Kristina “Tina” Miller serves as principal at Howe Elementary for the Wisconsin Rapids Public School District in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. During her 18-year educational career, she has been a second grade teacher, Educator Effectiveness coach, and professional development facilitator, and served on the charter dream, design, and implementation team for Mead Elementary Charter School in Wisconsin Rapids. As a National Board certified teacher, Tina embraces innovative and results-based facilitation of learning for all. She is a consulting teacher in the Responsive Classroom approach, which embodies her vision that social-emotional and academic learning go hand in hand. As a five-year member of the Innovative Schools Network Board, Tina is excited to grow, learn, and support the many great innovative learning opportunities that happen every day in schools across our nation.

Tracey Tierney

Tracey Tierney is currently a third grade teacher in Milford, New Hampshire, and a consulting teacher for Center for Responsive Schools. She has been in the field of education since 1984, and has been privileged to have taught people from two years of age into adulthood. Tracey began her education career by owning and operating her own private kindergarten for nine years before entering the world of public education. She remembers how magical it was when some of her former kindergartners were in her first fourth grade class. Tracey has a degree in elementary education and earned her master’s in curriculum and instruction from Lesley University. She is the math coach for her grade level, chairperson for her school’s Responsive Classroom committee, and member of the district’s competency committee. In her spare time, Tracey loves to spend time in her gardens reading wonderful books and cuddling with her two cats, Fenway and Montauk.

Vincent Leggio

Vincent Leggio is a middle school science teacher at a K–8 school in South Orange-Maplewood, New Jersey. After spending two years struggling to get his students to listen, Vincent attended a Responsive Classroom workshop that gave him a renewed passion for teaching and the tools needed to be successful in any classroom. Vincent is now known in his school district as an expert at creating and nurturing a positive community with each class he teaches. As a former “class clown,” he utilizes his unique sense of humor to make learning lighthearted and engaging. Vincent’s classroom marries the Responsive Classroom philosophy with Next Generation Science Standards to create an inquiry-based, hands-on classroom for all students. Outside of the classroom, Vincent enjoys cooking, painting, making music, and most other creative pursuits.

Vonn Nguyen-Wilson

Vonn currently teaches Kindergarten at a public TK-8 school in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been teaching for 9 years. She is a teacher leader at her school and has had the opportunity to share Responsive Classroom strategies with new and experienced teachers. Vonn has a Master’s Degree in Education. She believes deeply in the power of teacher language to build and strengthen relationships with the students. After seeing how Responsive Classroom techniques build positive community and engaging academics, she became a Consulting Teacher and enjoys supporting teachers to make classrooms inclusive, fun, and joyful. In her free time, Vonn enjoys hiking, reading, knitting, cooking, and spending time with her two daughters and a pug.